Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps (a) his Department and (b) the Financial Conduct Authority are taking to (i) investigate the collapse of Blackmore Bond plc and (ii) ensure consumer protections on related matters.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is responsible for ensuring consumer protection for a broad range of financial services products and HM Treasury works closely with the FCA to maintain a strong and safe financial system.

The FCA does not have power to investigate a firm that is unauthorised and not carrying out any regulated activities. Blackmore Bond Plc was not authorised by the FCA and the sale of the ‘mini-bond’ product it offered was not an activity regulated by the FCA. Where problems fall outside the FCA’s statutory remit, they assist other agencies and regulators wherever they can. In the case of Blackmore Bond, the FCA passed relevant information to the City of London Police.